Meet the Class of 2023: High school graduations underway in Amarillo, Canyon

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·4 min read

Area high schools are in the midst of hosting their spring commencement ceremonies, congratulating their latest graduates as part of the Class of 2023 as the school year comes to an end. The ceremonies began last week with Highland Park on Friday, May 19, and continue through Saturday, May 27, weather permitting.

Below are details for each ceremony and the number of graduates for each of the high schools in the Amarillo and Canyon areas, as well as the names of the 2023 valedictorians and salutatorians.

Area school districts are hosting their 2023 commencement ceremonies for graduating high school students over the next week, as seen in this 2022 file photo from Palo Duro High School. Palo Duro held its 2023 graduation Monday, May 22.
Area school districts are hosting their 2023 commencement ceremonies for graduating high school students over the next week, as seen in this 2022 file photo from Palo Duro High School. Palo Duro held its 2023 graduation Monday, May 22.

Amarillo ISD

All Amarillo ISD (independent School District) graduation ceremonies will be held at Dick Bivins Stadium, located at 3101 SE 10th Ave.

Amarillo High

Amarillo High School (HS) will graduate 478 students. This year's valedictorian is Lily Sobey, with Eleanor Archer announced as salutatorian. Amarillo High School's graduation ceremony will be held, Wednesday, May 24, from 8 to 10 p.m. Their alternate graduation ceremony (if moved for inclement weather) would be held Thursday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Amarillo High School announces Lily Sobey as the 2023 valedictorian.
Amarillo High School announces Lily Sobey as the 2023 valedictorian.
Amarillo High School announces Eleanor Archer as 2023 salutatorian.
Amarillo High School announces Eleanor Archer as 2023 salutatorian.

Caprock High

Caprock High School will graduate 424 students. This year's valedictorian is Connor Castaneda, with Rachel Lankford announced as salutatorian. Caprock High School's graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, May 25, from 8 to 10 p.m. Their alternate graduation ceremony, if moved for inclement weather, would be held Friday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Caprock High School announces Connor Castaneda as the 2023 valedictorian.
Caprock High School announces Connor Castaneda as the 2023 valedictorian.
Caprock High School announces Rachel Lankford as 2023 salutatorian.
Caprock High School announces Rachel Lankford as 2023 salutatorian.

Palo Duro High

Palo Duro High School graduated 352 students in the Class of 2023. This year's valedictorian is Jerry Phan, with Emily Sihanouraj announced as salutatorian. Palo Duro High School's graduation ceremony was held Monday, May 22.

Palo Duro High School announces Jerry Phan as 2023 valedictorian.
Palo Duro High School announces Jerry Phan as 2023 valedictorian.
Palo Duro High School announces Emily Sihanouraj as 2023 salutatorian.
Palo Duro High School announces Emily Sihanouraj as 2023 salutatorian.

Tascosa High

Tascosa High School will graduate 436 students. This year's valedictorian is Evelyn Hamilton, with Michael Larson announced as salutatorian. Tascosa High School's graduation ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 23, from 8 to 10 p.m.

Their alternate graduation ceremony, if moved for inclement weather, would be held Wednesday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Tascosa High School announces Evelyn Hamilton as 2023 valedictorian.
Tascosa High School announces Evelyn Hamilton as 2023 valedictorian.
Tascosa High School announces Michael Larson as 2023 salutatorian.
Tascosa High School announces Michael Larson as 2023 salutatorian.

North Heights

North Heights Alternative High School will graduate 185 students. North Heights school's graduation ceremony will be held Friday, May 26, from 8 to 10 p.m. Their alternate graduation ceremony, if moved for inclement weather, would be held Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Canyon ISD

All Canyon ISD Graduation Ceremonies will be held at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon, Texas.

Canyon High

Canyon High School will graduate 229 students. Charlotte Plotts is their valedictorian with a GPA of 102.5, and Camdyn Kraai is salutatorian with a GPA of 101.39. Canyon High School's graduation ceremony will be held Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m.

Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Canyon High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Canyon High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Canyon High School graduating class during an upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Canyon High School graduating class during an upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.

Randall High

Randall High School of Canyon ISD will graduate 320 students. Brilon Lichtie is valedictorian with a GPA of 104.55, and Sidney Perkins is salutatorian with a GPA of 103.96. Randall High School's graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Randall High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Randall High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Randall High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 Randall High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.

West Plains

West Plains High School will graduate 83 students. Sydney Lanigan is their valedictorian with a GPA of 102.00, and Graceson Carthel is salutatorian with a GPA of 101.70. West Plains High School's graduation ceremony will be held Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m.

Canyon ISD honors their 2023 West Plains High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 West Plains High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 West Plains High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.
Canyon ISD honors their 2023 West Plains High School graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Saturday, May 27, at 10 a.m. at the Happy State Bank Stadium, located at 2800 N 23rd St. in Canyon.

Canyon ISD's Midway Alternative High School graduation was held Tuesday, May 23 at 7 p.m.

Bushland ISD

Bushland ISD will honor its 2023 graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.
Bushland ISD will honor its 2023 graduating class during its upcoming commencement ceremony, to be held Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.

Bushland High

Bushland High School will graduate 122 students with Emma Wewel as valedictorian and Troi Peart as salutatorian.

Bushland's graduation will be held Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m., located at the First United Bank Center in Canyon.

River Road ISD

River Road ISD will honor its 2023 graduating class during its commencement ceremony, to be held Friday, May 26 at 3 p.m. located at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum.
River Road ISD will honor its 2023 graduating class during its commencement ceremony, to be held Friday, May 26 at 3 p.m. located at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum.

River Road High

River Road High School will graduate 97 students. Talayna Scheller is their valedictorian with a GPA of 99.11, and Mercy Williamson is their salutatorian with a GPA of 98.41.

RRHS's graduation will be held Friday, May 26 at 3 p.m. at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum.

Highland Park ISD

Highland Park ISD held their 2023 commencement ceremony May 19 at 9 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium announcing Binh Nguyen as the 2023 Highland Park HS valedictorian.
Highland Park ISD held their 2023 commencement ceremony May 19 at 9 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium announcing Binh Nguyen as the 2023 Highland Park HS valedictorian.
Highland Park ISD held their 2023 commencement ceremony May 19 at 9 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium announcing Sarah Hopper as the 2023 Highland Park HS salutatorian.
Highland Park ISD held their 2023 commencement ceremony May 19 at 9 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium announcing Sarah Hopper as the 2023 Highland Park HS salutatorian.

Highland Park High

Highland Park High School held their 2023 commencement this past weekend. The ceremony was held Friday, May 19 at 9 p.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium. Binh Nguyen is the Highland Park HS 2023 valedictorian, and Sarah Hopper is the 2023 Highland Park HS salutatorian.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: High schools hosting spring 2023 commencement ceremonies